Bill Stone memorial

Hundreds turned out to pay their respects at the funeral of Royal Navy veteran Bill Stone.

Mr Stone, whop died aged 108, had been the last member of the armed forces still living in the UK to have served in both the First and Second World Wars.

Old friends, members of the military and family packed St Leonard's church in Watlington, Oxfordshire, on Thursday, January 29, for his funeral.

Staff at Lord Harris Court care home in Mole Road, Sindlesham, where Mr Stone died in January, are planning a memorial service for the war hero in Wokingham.

One of the carers at the home, Sue Burton, said: “Only two members of staff could go to the funeral so we will have our own memorial with the family.

“He was such a nice man with a cheeky sense of humour so we want to remember him.”

After the funeral, Mr Stone’s daughter, Anne Davidson, said: “It was wonderful to see so many of William's old friends from both Watlington, where he lived for twenty years, and from all the organisations to which he belonged.

“William would have been truly delighted.

“He had an amazingly long and happy life.”

Commodore Al Rymer, from the Royal Navy, was at the funeral on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

He said: “William Stone served in the Royal Navy for 27 years in a distinguished career that involved him in both World Wars.